Four members of parliament have been given two-week suspensions from parliamentary sessions for their various roles in the turmoil that occurred during the Appointments Committee’s vetting on Thursday.
The suspension was announced by Speaker Bagbin on Friday, January 31, 2025, on the floor of Parliament.
The members of parliament who have been suspended are Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor of South Dayi, Frank Annoh-Dompreh of Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Alhassan Tampuli of Gushegu, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib of Weija-Gbawe.
The vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Health minister-designate, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs minister-designate, caused a fight between members of the Minority and Majority caucuses in Parliament on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
As a result, part of the vetting equipment, such as microphones and furnishings, was destroyed.
Speaking on Parliament floor on Friday, January 31, Bagbin vehemently denounced the episode, calling it “disgraceful and deeply regrettable,” and cautioned that disruptive conduct is not covered by parliamentary privilege.
The Speaker expressed disapproval of the lawmakers’ behavior, saying that they “could not exercise a scintilla of emotional intelligence” and that the episode occurred at a very dire moment.
In order to investigate the situation, he has since formed a seven-person committee and said that any member found to be at fault will be subject to the proper disciplinary measures.
The committee will be chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah.
“Members found culpable shall bear full cost of repairs with deductions from salaries if necessary,” Bagbin said.